Sean Duffy of Austin, Texas speaks as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stands by during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 30, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

“I am honored to be an educator, to help the new generation of leaders, thinkers, builders, and entrepreneurs. Sadly, I am part of a dwindling field,” Sean Duffy said to kick off his speech at the Republican National Convention.

Duffy, who was introduced by the former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, spoke of providing students with a robust curriculum and focusing on STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — education.

He received quite an applause when he said that education should student focused and student centered. “After all, students matter most and that’s what counts,” he said before the hall broke out into another round of applause.

However, what those applauding for Duffy did not know was that Duffy is an independent, rather than a Republican as most convention goers.

“I lean more toward Obama, but I think I’m going to vote for someone who’s going to be a strong supporter of education and education reform,” Duffy told POLITICO. “I don’t necessarily support Romney, I don’t consider myself a Republican. I’m pretty much an independent.”

Duffy wouldn’t be the only educator backing Obama-Biden ticket come November. It seems that the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) might be endorsing Democrats as well.

“The Romney-Ryan campaign obviously is more than a little sensitive about being portrayed as anti-public education. But the portrayal fits,” wrote Clay Robison, TSTA’s Public Affairs Specialist in a recent blog post. “The Romney-Ryan budget proposal … would slash an estimated $723 million from critical public education programs in Texas alone.”

Sean Duffy’s speech at the Republican National Convention starts at the seven minute mark.